NDSCS Business Management Student Thrives as Young Entrepreneur with Own Startup

student with button-up shirt standing next to a table
04-16-2024

Jack Johnson, an ambitious 2nd-year Business Management student at NDSCS is already a successful entrepreneur and business owner.

Jack, a Breckenridge, MN high school graduate has always been an active and motivated individual. During his high school years, Jack gained a wealth of experience working with Summerville Electric and Krump Construction, and had community involvement by coaching youth basketball and football teams.

Johnson's entrepreneurial journey took a significant leap forward when he secured an LLC for his venture, Johnson Auto Detailing, in May 2022, shortly before his high school graduation. Over the past two years, Johnson Auto Detailing has been his sole source of income, demonstrating the results of his dedication and hard work.

As a small business owner, Jack's responsibilities include hands-on service of vehicles, marketing, and financial oversight. His efforts have not only accumulated a social media presence of over 900 followers but have also earned his business multiple nominations for the Spark Plug Award and the Chamber of Service Award by the Wahpeton Chamber of Commerce.

Jack's vision is grand—he's not just running a business; he's laying the groundwork for what he aspires to be a business empire. After graduating from high school, and although he was already a business owner, Jack started at NDSCS to increase his knowledge of business management to continue being successful. His decision to enroll at NDSCS in the fall of 2022 was fueled by the affordability of the institution, and his trust with the College. “I know a lot of people who have gone through NDSCS including some of my older peers. They've expressed to me how they have enjoyed their experience as a whole as well as learned a lot about their degree.”

Jack values in his education at NDSCS and has taken several principles from class with him into his work at Johnson Auto Detailing. He specifically credits knowledge he gained during his Sales class, which through various roleplaying exercises, pushed him to get comfortable talking to customers, and prepared him for dealing with people in difficult situations. This class, among others, have helped Jack apply his knowledge and skills to his business. Jack appreciates that faculty at NDSCS finds fun and engaging ways to teach, which keeps the classroom exciting. Jack has been an active student in the NDSCS Business Management program, including being a National qualifier for DECA.

As Jack continues to balance his studies and his growing business, he is proof that with the right education and support, the possibilities are limitless.

After graduating from NDSCS in May with his Business Management degree, Jack plans to continue to own and operate Johnson Auto Detailing. He will use his educational background to grow in his business experience. And with his drive for success and entrepreneurial spirit, it’s clear that Jack has fantastic opportunities and remarkable success ahead of him.

Learn more about Jack at Johnsonautodetailing.net.

Business Management students go on industry tours

Business Management students touring Giant Seeds
11-13-2023

Business Law and Human Resource Management students toured Giant Snacks last Wednesday, November 8th. Rober Schuler, Vice President of Marketing, told students about how the company got its start and how it continues to be innovative in creating new snacks and seasonings of those snacks from sunflower seeds to pistachios. Marketing, supply chains, networking, technology/equipment advancements and branding were also addressed.

Human Resource Management students then went separately to ComDel Innovation and toured. Tiana Bohn, Business Management Advisory Board member and former student who is now the Learning Coordinator, conducted the tour. Specific questions regarding product development, prototyping, work flow process, day-to-day operations, recruitment, selection, and branding were addressed.

 

industry tour at ComDel

Bailey Adams, NDSCS Business Management graduate, is finding success in small town living.

Bailey Adams, Business Management graduate
11-02-2023

Bailey Adams, a 2022 NDSCS Business Management graduate, is thriving in small-town living and is making a significant impact on her community. The journey to her career, through her education at NDSCS, is unique and is marked by her flexibility and willingness to adapt. During her junior year in high school, Bailey was uncertain about her future and considered joining the military as a potential path forward.

During her senior year in high school, with no concrete college plans after graduation, she registered for the North Dakota Air National Guard. Bailey graduated from Richland 44 high school in 2019.

Basic training for the military wasn't scheduled until the following spring, so Bailey took the opportunity to enroll at NDSCS, during opening weekend in the Fall of 2019. The college's flexibility for late enrollment allowed her to participate in general education courses during that fall semester.

As the Spring of 2020 arrived, Bailey was called away for basic training and specific job training with the military, and was there from March to November, 2020. As she awaited her next military assignment, Bailey decided to enroll for the spring 2021 semester, this time choosing to study Business Management.

During her two years at NDSCS, Bailey formed lasting friendships and participated in campus life, attending athletic competitions and student events. Throughout her time in the Business Management program, Bailey found even more opportunity for her future.

Rebecca Undem, a public speaker and founder of Growing Small Towns, visited NDSCS to deliver a presentation to one of Bailey's classes. Growing Small Towns is a non-profit organization in Oakes, ND, dedicated to helping small towns thrive by facilitating partnerships between local non-profits and larger corporations, helps entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses, and hosts gathering space for various sized meetings and events. Inspired by the presentation and cooperative work on a project for the Oakes community, Bailey secured an internship for Fall 2022.

While in her internship, Bailey contributed to Growing Small Towns in various capacities, from managing social media marketing to updating the company's website. Prior to Bailey’s graduation from NDSCS in December 2022, Rebecca offered her a full-time position, and a more significant role within the organization.

Today, Bailey is an essential part of Growing Small Towns, involved in event planning and coordination, building management, invoicing, and much more. Her role allows her to engage in activities that enrich local communities, from planning meetings and company parties to co-working rentals and even an upcoming fashion show. Her favorite events have been the annual bus trips that bring people from the Fargo area to explore the hidden treasures of North Dakota's small towns.

Bailey attributes much of her success to her education at NDSCS, specifically highlighting the Quickbooks Accounting and Career Seminar courses that equipped her with important skills for both her personal and professional life. Her journey from uncertainty to making a meaningful impact in her small town serves as an inspiring example of the potential that can be unlocked through determination and higher education.

2023 DECA team

NDSCS Business Management students qualified for the international DECA competition

02-17-2023
Eighteen NDSCS Business Management students will compete in an international competition in April 2023 in Orlando, Fla.

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NDSCS logo

Four NDSCS students nominated for North Dakota Academic All-State Team

01-25-2023
Four students from the North Dakota State College of Science have been nominated for the 2023 North Dakota Academic All-State Team, which recognizes the academic achievements of community college students.

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DECA Stock Market Game logo

Seven NDSCS students among top ten competitors in Collegiate DECA 2022-2023 Stock Market Game

12-05-2022
Seven NDSCS students among top ten competitors in Collegiate DECA 2022-2023 Stock Market Game

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Students preparing for DECA presetation

A Look Back on Collegiate DECA Engage in Atlanta

12-05-2022
Nearly 200 Collegiate DECA members, including 5 NDSCS students, attended the 2022 ENGAGE Conference in Atlanta, GA on November 3-5, 2022.

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NDSCS students excel in local DECA Competition

Business student
02-23-2016

Thirty-two North Dakota State College of Science Collegiate DECA members recently competed at the North Dakota Career Development Conference in Fargo, N.D. NDSCS Chapter members participated in 16 separate events, ending up with a finalist in 11 events.

One-hundred-twenty students representing both two and four-year colleges and universities from across the state competed against one another in a variety of simulations, case studies and prepared events.     

The 11 NDSCS finalists include:

  • Nate Wier – Accounting (Finalist); Business Ethics (2nd Place)
  • Marcus Karsky – Accounting (Finalist)
  • Ali Schoneman – Banking and Financial Services (Finalist)
  • Thia Uhren – Fashion Merchandising (Finalist)
  • Rowdy Borman – Restaurant Management (3rd Place); Human Resource Management (3rd Place)
  • Noah Dobmeier – Retail Management (3rd Place); Business Ethics (2nd Place)
  • Amy Stevens – Travel and Tourism (Finalist)
  • Katlyn Hilbrand – Marketing Management (1st Place)
  • Ian Uhrich – Sales Manager Meeting (3rd Place)

In addition, Ian Uhrich was elected to serve as the 2016-2017 State Association President while Dana Anderson was elected to serve as next year’s State Vice President.

NDSCS will now be sending a delegation to the International Career Development Conference to be held in Washington D.C. this April.

Collegiate DECA at NDSCS prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Nationwide, Collegiate DECA includes over 15,000 members in 275 colleges and universities.